Low-water alarm.



W. D. ANDERSON 8v EL. Je SHEARER.

LOW WATER' ALARM'. APPLIUATION E-LLBDSBIT. 341914.

e Patented Feb.2,'1915.

, 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. D. ANDERSON n E. J. SHEARER. LOW WATER ALARM. APFLIGATION FILED SEPT. 3, 1914.

Patented Feb. 2, 19,15.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

@dwarJJS/Mwrer zen of the United WILLIAMSON D. ANDERSON, F

TUCSON, ARIZONA, LORDSBURG, NW MEXICO. l

am) 'EDWARD r. snnnnnn, or

Low-WATER ALARM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led September 3', 1914. Serial N 0.860,068.

To all whom it mag/[concern .'l

Be it known that we, WILLIAMSON United States, residing at Tucson, in the county of Pima, State nERsoN, a citizenof the of Arizona, and. EDWARD J. SHEARER, a citi- States, residing at Lordsburg, in the coun-ty of Grant and State of New Mexico, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lovv-Viater Alarms;

and we do declare the following to be a full,"

clear, and exact description of the invention, such aswill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. Y i l f Our invention relates to improvementsf in lowV water alarms for boilers and more particularly to those employingthe expanding 'qualities of metal for the purpose of rocking alever to sound an alarm. The main obj-ect ofthe invention is to pro- 4vide a device of this character which may be siinply andinex ensively constructed and which will be high-ly efcient in operati-on.

' vhorizontal clon posite en d portions o ,thermal` r member I n carrying out the above end,- We provide a gated thermal member, longitudinal links pivotall v'connected to the opsaid member,.a steam controlling valve, 4an 'up-right lever pivoted to sJf-idJinks and stops on said lever and saidv preventing excessive' for movement of thevformer'in a plane transverse to the latter. t v

'A fuither object is lto l'position the above mentionedstops on 'the thermal member so as to allow a predeterminedamount of ex# ace in said member before operated. A minor objects in view, the

the valve stem is 1With these and invention resides `incertain novel features of the plane' of the line vconstruction and Y combination herein described and claimed and shown in the draw,-v

- igure y1 is'a front elevation of ourpimroved low Water alarm, the thermal tube. eing v contracted whenthe thermal tube is expanded; Fig. 3 is a, vertical transverse section' through the entire device, taken on the: line 3 3 of Fig. I; Fig. i is a horizontal section taken along 1 et of Fig. l; Fig.` 5 is a vertical'longitudinal Sectio through the form of the device previously illustrated; Fig. 6 is a similar view showing a slightly Fig. 2 1s a similar view "6 and showing the position ofthe various parts.

-rieol by the upper di-iferent foim of construction; and Fig. i is adetail vertical se tion on line 7-7 of lin the-accompanying drawings, from Figs. 1 to -5, we' have shown our improved low water alarm as comprising a horizontally disposed thermal tube ends threaded as indicated at 2 for the receptionof' polygonal caps 3the latter having hollow pivot'studs or bosses 4 extending laterally from two of tlieirparallel sides, the

l having its opposite Patenten ren. e, i915.

bores of said studs receiving stop screws 5 i by means of which a' pair scribed, vare held against removal.

most clearly seen in Fig. 5, the tube, 1 is Vformed integrally withan upright water column 6, the sameprojecting a -sliort distance below said tube and rising .a considerable distance therefrom the upper and lower ends of said column 6 receiving nipples 7 by means of' which the column 6 may f' be connected to a boiler at such a point as tov positionv the thermal tube 1 at or near the lower water level ofthe boiler.. Formed in-tegrall with the upper portion of the water co umn G and lying'in the same pla-ne with the thermal tube 1, is a lateral tubular" extension 8, the outer endof which is closed by a screw plug 9 havin an inwardly extending stop. finger l0, t e latter liinitincr the move/ment of' a valve to be describer. The u yper side of the tubular extension 8 is provi( ed with a steam inlet nipple 11 and an outlet nipple 12, the former being "onnected to the steam's ace in the boiler while the latter is connecte to a suitable alarm 13, preferably'a whistle. Formed in the tubular extension S and between the nipples 11 andV 12, is a conical valve seat 14 which is normally -closed by a conical valve 15,'the

latter having an .operating stem 1G, trian ularin cross section or otherwise reducedv tween the valve 15 and the outlet nipple 12, passing across the bore of which is formed on the column-6 an tension 8. It will outer end'of the stem 16 projects beyond the stufting box in order that ay set screw 18 carend of a lever 19, may contact therewith for the purpose of actuatingtbe same to seen in Fig. 7, the upper end of thelever 19 of links, to ,be de# thewater column v having its free end passed slidably through a stun box' 17 in alinement with the eX-g be seen that' the extreme unseat the 'valve 15. As

is split land provideddwith aclampiiigiscrew 19 whereby to .retain the screw18in arl-,

f outer `ends 'of-v said mounted upon'the studs el beneat 5 while their 'inner Vends are* i 20 tions,

vertically.

justedpositionL The le'ver 19 maybe-"bf any suitable con- "figuration but.V pre -erably has its'lower end bifurcated to provide va pair of depending legs 20' whichstraddle the water column 6 andthe thermal tube 1 attheir point of in' f tersectidn,

ever, thatthe links 23 and 23 would operate to equal advantage were they of rectilinear formation.y

As .clearly seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the uplo per. portion of the lever 19 is provided with seen that-thethermal tube and the waterr an inwardly' projecting stop finger -28 which underlies the stuilingibox 17 and is adapted to prevent upward movement of said lever..` Although, under favorable conditions, the

proper expansion of4 the thermal tube could be obtained without the provision of an insulating jacket, the opposite ends of said tube are preferably surrounded by jackets of thisgicharfacter which arespaced therefrom tlrus prviding dead air spaces entirely surrounding Said ends. The opera tion-of this form of the device as well as the form now to bedescribed, will be herein after. explained. l

By reference lto the drawings, it will be column 'are formed of a single casting in the form of the invention previously described. In some cases, however, it becomes expedient to form the tube in two sections indicated'at 1 in Fig. 6 and to externally thread the `innerends of said sections as indicated at 1/ threaded -end of the water co ception, 6 is identical with that illustrated in the first five Iigures ofthedrawings and a furbores or bosses 6 lnear thellower ther description thereof is notthought to be- With the device as above `ldescribed, its operation -is asv follows: Thee-upper an lower ends 4of the water. columnl are con'- nected respectively lwith the steam and water spaces of a said legs resting upon lugs 26v formed "onr thecolumn 6 and having hollow ltudinally to causethe links'23 'move outwardly, this outward movement the side elevature the latter being lengaged with With'this e x thecnstruction illustrated in Fig.

boiler and the nipple 11'` memes is connected with said steam space. As

long as'the Water level within the boiler re- Y mains'ata level above the thermal tube, the' latter will be expanded only to a prede? termined extent. When however, the water level within the boilerrecedes to a oint below vthe thermal tube, the steam rom the boiler, the temperature' of which is appreciably higherl than that of the water',

tube, therefore expanding the latter longiandl 23 to will enter the water column 6 and thethermal r 4rocking said lever and,forcin`g' thelfv'alve'A i stem 16 inwardly thus opening the'valve 17 to allow steam, coming into the nipple 11,

to pass lthrough the tubular eXtensionS and to be discharged from the nipple 12 into the cessive inward movement of the Ivalve v15 alarm 13 thereby sounding the latter. EX- i will now 'be checked bythe stop finger 10;

as hereinbefore suggested..

Coming now more particularly to lthe'l illustration disclosed 'in Fig. 1: it will be seen that the inner ends of the links 23 and 23 are upheld by the lugs 20 when ithethermal tube is contracted, then receding from the valve stem las seen fore the valve stem 16 is moved inwardly, (the valve'being held closed by steam presf4 sure), move the to open thevalve. f It may here'be explained .that the expansion the set 4screw 18 i in Fig. 1 It will therefore be seen that,be

expansion ofthe thermaltube will i lever to the position seen `in Fig. 2

'while further expansion will rock the lever ofy the thermal tube, acting to `cause.y l

the screw 18 to contact with the stem 416, is g caused by the heat of the waterfrom the'.l

boiler`while the further eXpansionop'erat-- of steam entering said tube.-

water level.V We have described considerable minuteness plified in the appended clainis.

Having thus described our invention,

as Letters-Patent is:

l14A device of the character described 1'1'5 what we claim asnew and des1re to secure comprising a thermal tube closed at its 'opposite ends and having an inlet opening, a

pair of longitudinal links secured at the1r outer ends to the opposite end portions of inner ends spaced ver-' i tically, and an 'upright lever having'qits '1125 be "operated"'ljiy"y d movement of the upper end of said'lever". @2. A. devicegpf the character, described the tube having their lower end'pivoted to` said spaced lendsof the link's'and an alarm to comprising an elongated thermal member, a pair of longitudinal links secured at their ing the valve 15, is caused by the temperaf It'will therefore be seen that the actionv of the de vice is simultaneous with a dropl in the i V1.10 our. inventionV with@ but we -do not wishv to be limitedto ldetails other than those am- 4 leo'Y outer' ends tothe ends thereof having their inner ends spaced vertically, and an upright levershaving its lower'end pivoted tov said spacedv ends of the links and an' alarm to be operated by movement of the upper end of'said lever. 3. Ad evice of they character described comprising ,an elongated thermal member, a pairof longitudinal links secured attheir outer ends to the ends thereof and having their inner ends spaced horizontally, an upright lever having its lower end-pivoted to said soaced endsof the links, a valve casing adjacent the upper end of thelever and having an operating, rod located inthe path thereoi` and-a stop on` said lever for limiting its movement iny aplane transverse to Said member.

e. A device of the character described comprising an elongated horizontal thermal meinber,.'a pair of substantially horizontal links pivoted to one side thereof near its ends, and having their inner ends lying in vertically spaced planes, a valve casing spaced upwardly from said member and having a valve provided with an operating stem, an upright lever pivoted at its lower tures .in its opposite sides ata end tosaid spaced ends of the links and having its upper end located adjacent the valve operating stein and a stop on said lever and adapted to underlie a portion of the casing to limit upward movement of said lever.

5.' In a low water alarm-for boilers, an upright water column adaptedto be con'- nected at its upper and lower ends with the steam space and water space respectively within a boiler and having threaded aperpoint opposite the lowest safety level of the'water, a horizontal thermostatic tube made in sections and having its inner' endsengaged with said apertures, caps vclosing the outer endsof said tube sections, a pair of links connected attheir outer extremities with said caps and having theirl inner extremities `offset vertically and vertically spaced, and

an upright lever pivotally connected to said oiset extremities; combined with an alarm, connections between the latter' and the steam' space-of the boiler and a valve in said alarm connections actuated by the movements of said lever. i

e. In a low water alarm for boilers, anA upright water column adapted to be connected at its upper and lower ends respectively with the steam space and water space of a boiler, and having apertures inl its opposits-, sides at a point opposite the lowest safety level of the water, a horizontal there inostatic' tube made in sections. whose inner ends engage said apertures, caps closing the outer ends' of said tube sections, a pair of links connectedv at their outer extremities with saidy caps and their inner ex- Vdling the thermal tube,

tically and pivoted toy t and outlet, a valve anupright lever adjacent the side column on which the stuing box is formed,

.the upper en d of said lever and bearing against the outer said vertically spaced extremities; combined with a whis-v tle, a lateralv extension on the watercoluinn pair of nipples whereof.- oneV and.- having a isadaptedfto be connectedwith said whistle and the other boiler, a valve. passing throu h the column with the steam'space in the jacent the free end ofsaid lever andan ad? justabjlel Contactv member carried by said,

levenqy v within said extension, a stem l and located ad- 7, lira. low Water alarmA for boilers, af;

horizontal thermal tube'closed at ,its opposite ends, an upright water column having a portion rising-from the thermal tube and a pprtion depending. therefrom, said column having connections at its upper and lower ends designedto be connected respectively 'with the steam space' andwaterspace ofia boiler, a tube projecting laterally from the upper end of the water column, said tube having a steam inlet and steam outlet, a valve seat between saidcinlet and outlet, a. valve in said seat and having a stem projecting beyond one end of the tube, an up'- jacent the outer end of said stem, thelower end. of said lever being bifurcatedandstradlinks pivoted ttheir outer ends tothe outer ends of the Athermal tube and having their inner ends spaced verebifurcated end of said lever, stop'lugs on the lower end of said water column, and a stop finger on the upper end of the lever.4

8. In a low water alarm for boilers,- a horizontal thermal tube, caps closing theopposite end s thereof and having laterally projecting pivoted bosses, an `upright water column having aportion risingfrom-said al portion depending therefrom, said column having connections thermal tube and on its upper and lower ends designed to be connected respectively with the steam space and hot water-space of a boiler, .a tubular v right lever ha ving its upper-end located ad- ,A

iioy

extension projecting laterally fromone side of the water column atv its upper end, a stuffing box on the opposite side ofl said co1- umn, said extensionhaving a steam inlet and steam' outlet, a valve seat betweenisaid inlet in said seat and having a stem projecting through said stuffing box,

of the a set screw passingthrough end of said Valve stem, a linger projecting inwardly from said upper end of the lever and underlying the stuffing box, the lower end of said lever being bifurcated and straddling the thermal tube and water eolumn at their point of intersection, links pivoted at their outer ends upon having their inner ends spaced vertically,

said pivot bosses and izo'- l the bifurealefl end of said lever, to which the laterally projecting pivot bosses formed on imier ende of saidl liiiks are pivotecl, and slop lilgs-rormed on the lower end portion of the vupright Water column.

,4 ,9.511111 lowwa.terva.lariii for boilers7 a the horizontal ,thermaltube elosedet its opposite encl,s, ain upright; water column rising from rcommunieatin'g' with the flier-mel "tube,

connection at' the upper end of' Seial be connected with the steam space col-111.1111 ytoV of 4ai bodega :similar connection ,communiveating 'with the interior' of elle thermal tube anlfadaptedfto `vcomrminimte with the waiter space of fthe boiler., e mlve'easing adjacent 'Qpperend of theeolumn, a ralvein said 'rig-eiiclhaiing jan 1operating stem, an

flipri'glit lever having :i 'bifurcated lower end opleekoAf-,lhis lialent may be obtained. for

11eme@ sreclrlliiig lie 'ilxerirml tube, the upper enel of said lever Contacting? willi swivel eeiii, Uf-1i 'two paire of Substantially horizontal links pi'voyed at their outer emls to the ends el* the thermal tube,.tlieir inner enfle being uspaced '\v"ei"l.ically sind pi'voed to ille xfureaterl end of the lever, one pair oif seid links being located on each side volf said tube.

lii testimony -whereof We' have hereunto set our banale in presence oli two subscribing i winesses. i *WILISN D. ANDERSON. RDW/MM2?) J. Sl'lEBEl-. Vitneesee R. Hrli'vmi VLLCOX, v PSW. SULL,

.FRANK Coo-N,

StxANLEY YV. CooN.

five cents each, by addreesng me Commission-ar of, Ea'rents, Washington, B. G. 

